Types of Grants
The Fund prefers to provide seed money for innovative projects and programs or “step up” money to expand programs or to build organizational capacity. The following types of grants may be awarded:
- Capacity Building -- Funding that strengthens an organization so that it may better fulfill its mission.
- Capital -- Funding for endowment purposes, facilities construction or equipment.
- Challenge -- Funding is contingent upon the grantee achieving an agreed-on program or operating goal.
- Matching -- Funding is contingent upon the grantee raising qualified matching funds.
- Operating -- The Fund may invite an operating proposal from a grantee with which we have an established grant history. Mature organizations may be eligible for operating support upon establishing a threshold of core competency. Developing organizations may be eligible for operating support upon successful completion of a start-up or seed grant, after demonstrating a threshold of competency. Funding is unrestricted for use as deemed appropriate by the grantee.
- Project/Program -- The Fund awards a grant for a specific initiative or endeavor, not for general operating purposes.
- Seed Money -- The Fund awards a grant to help launch a new project, program or initiative.
Scope of Funding
The Fund generally offers grant awards between $10,000 and $50,000; requests for smaller and larger amounts may be considered. Grants review committees are authorized to approve smaller grants up to $20,000. Full board review is required for grants greater than $20,000. The Fund may consider multi-year requests. We encourage previous grantees to seek guidance from Fund staff regarding an appropriate range and type of request. First-time applicants must file Preliminary Proposals.
Read about ineligible requests or download the complete guidelines.
